The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday dragged the All Progressive Congress (APC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria Immigration Service and the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau, to court over the participation of two governors from Niger Republic at the recent presidential rally of the ruling party held in Kano.
This is coming as the PDP accused the APC of burning the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in various parts of the country, having realised that President Muhammadu Buhari has no chance to win a freehand fair election.
The suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/165/2019 and dated February 8, 2019, by Adedamola Falokun the legal officer of plaintiff, PDP indicated that the matter was on election matters.
Two Nigerien governors and some citizens of the country had on January 31, 2019, participated at the President Muhammadu Buhari campaign rally held in Kano.
The plaintiff said that the substantive suit was a pre election matter as raises issues that ought to be determined before the 2019 general elections are held.
It said: “The substantive matter matter in the suit seeks an order of this honorable court, seeking to direct the 1st - 3rd defendant to preclude and ensure that foreigners/aliens do not participate in the 2019 general elections. The foregoing has created a situation of real urgency.”
The PDP prayed the court whether, having regard to the provision of Section 12 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended 2015) and Paragraph 2 of the 2019 INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, foreigners and/or aliens can participate either directly or indirectly in the general election in Nigeria.
The PDP also seek a declaration that, "having regard to the provision of Section 12 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), foreigners and/or aliens can participate either directly or indirectly in the General Elections of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."
"That the participation of 2 Nigerien governors in the 4th defendant's campaign rally is contrary to Nigerian law and public policy.”
The party also requested for an order, "Directing the 1st,3rd defendants to preclude and ensure that foreigners/aliens do not participate in the 2019 general election.
" Restraining the 4th defendant (APC) from inviting or in any way involving foreigners from further participating in its rallies and campaign activities howsoever described."
The defendants were requested in the originating summons taken out by Kalu Kalu Agu, Esq to "Within 30 (thirty) days after service of this summons on the inclusive of the day of such service, cause an appearance to be entered for them to this summons which is issued upon the application of the plaintiff for the determination of the following questions.”
Meanwhile, PDP has accused the APC of torching INEC offices in various parts of the country, having realised that President Buhari has no chance to win a freehand fair election.
To this end, the main opposition party, in very unequivocal terms insisted that it would never accept any attempt by the APC to postpone the Presidential election in any state of the federation.
In a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that the presidential election must hold in all the states on February 16 and that President Muhammadu Buhari would be served his defeat certificate.
According to him, “The PDP already has the details of how the APC mobilized misguided elements in its fold to burn INEC offices and destroy electoral materials and equipment in Plateau, Abia and Anambra state.”
The party called on Nigerians to resist the desperation of the APC, for which it has now resorted to burning INEC offices, while also calling on INEC to note that the APC is after it facilities and as such put stronger measures to protect itself from the assaults of this desperate party.
Ologbindiyan stated, “Our party is also privy to clandestine plots by the APC to burn INEC offices in some other states, so as to paralyse the commission’s operations in such states, and pave the way for the isolation and postponement of Presidential elections in those states; after which it plans to unleash compromised security agencies to muzzle the shifted polls in favour of President Muhammadu Buhari.
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